Internal-combustion engine.



H. H. FASNACHT."

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 4, ISIS- Patent 3a Feb. 13,1917.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1- :HIHHWH JeZ H. H. 'FASNACHT INTERNAL COMBUSHON ENGINE. APPLICATION FILED 5.4. ms.

H. H. FASNACHT.

INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION nuzn JAN-4,19").

1,215,922. Patei 163- Feb. 13, 1917.

i SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Patented Feb.13,1917.

SNEET5-'SHEET 4- I H. H. FASNACHT. 2 v INTERNAL c omsusm'n ENGINE. AFPUCATION FILED JAILM 1.916. 1,215,922.

H. H. FASNACHT. INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE.

APPLICATION HLED JANJ, I9l6 1,215,922. Pater ted Feb-13,1917.

- 5 SHEETSSHEET 5.

l 4 I d UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOWARD H. FASNACHT, OF CI-IICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR F ONI i-HALF TO ALFRED L. DAY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 13, 1917.

Application filed January 4, 1916. Serial No. 70,151.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Howann H. Fas- NAoH'r, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new' and useful Improvements in Internal-Combustion Engines, of whichthe following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to fluid pressure en gines and more specifically to internal coinbustion engines.

Among the objects of my invention is to provide an improved construction which will do away with the crank shaft and connecting rod, and which will be eflicient and-coinpact.

Further objects Will appear from the dctaileddescription to follow taken in connection with the appended claims.

In the drawings, in Which I have shown two embodiments of my invention Figure i is a side elevation of an internal combustion engine embodying my invention, part being removed to better show the construction Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an axial section through one of the cylinders and its fuel controlling valve;

F 5. 6 and T are views corresponding to Fig. 4. showing difl erent positions of the pistons and yalve;

Fig. 8 is a side ele *ation of another form of my invention;

the line 9 Fig. 9 is a section on 9 of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 10 is a section on the line l010 of Fig. 9.

Referring now to the drawings in. detail, the engine shown comprises the basc 10, a shaft or stud 11 for supporting the motor. the motor 12 rotatable about the shaft 11. a shaft 13 mounted on the base 10. a rotor 14 keyed to the shaft 13, studs or shafts l5 and lfi'supported by the base 10. a gcar 17 keyed t0 the motor 12, idler gears '18 and '19 mounted on theshafts and i6 and mesh ing with each other, a gear 20 keyed on the shaft 13 and meshing with the gear 19, a bearing 21 in which (ne end of the shaft 13 is 'rotatably mounted and a bracket 2'3 secured to the base 10 and provided with a bearing 23 in which the other end of the shaft 13 is mounted.

The shaft ll is prc vided with a shoulder 2% to position it with respect to the base 10 to which it is secured .iy means of the key 2.; and the collar 26 and nut 27. The motor 12 comprises a rotor 28 rotatably mounterl on the shaft 11, a plurali;y of cylinders 29 supported on the rotor combined power and compression pistons 30 operating in the outer ends of the cylinders 29. combined scavenging and charging pistons 31 operat ing in the inner end; of the cylinders 29, a cam 3,2 fixedly seemed on the shaft 11 for controlling the scavenging pistons, valve gear 33 for controllirg the flow of fuel to the cylinders, and a hovel gear 3% fixedly secured on the fixed shift 11 for causing the operation ofthe valve gear.' The rotor 2%. comprises a hub portion 35 which may be provided with a roller bearing 36, and a web portion 37 with whicl the cylinders 29 may be formed integral. Fhe cylinders 29 may be provided with annilar ribs or flanges 38 ping down when the cylinders are inthcir uppermost position and the motor is revolving slowly. the said pistons are provided with an annular grooi e 42 to receive a split spring ring 43 which. in the outermost position of the piston will spring into the annular groove 44: in the cvlinder' 29. with suflicicnt force to prevent the piston from dropping by its own weight. Springs 45 may be provided between the outer end of thc cylndcr 29 and the cm of the piston 30 to cushion the latter whc 11 the boa ring member +1 disengages from th?v concavity 40. Each scavenging piston 31 may be provided with a plurality of piston rings 46, and has socurcd thereto a. PlStOI rod 47 sliding in a sleeve portion 48 whiih may be formed integral with the cylinder 29. Each piston rod 47 is provided with an off-set portion 49 which carries a follower member 50 which engages in the cam-ways 51 of the cam 32 to control the movement of the scavenging piston.

To further aid in forming a gas ti ht joint each piston 31 may be formed wit a conical portion 52adjacent the piston rod 47, which conical portion seats-in a correspondingly shaped depression 52" in the cylinder 29 when the piston 31 is in its innermost position. The sleeve portion 48 is recessed at 53 to afford clearance for the off-set portion 49 when the piston 31 is in its outermost position. The cam 32 has a hub portion 54 fixedly-secured. to the fixed shaft 11 by means of a pin 55 and has two opposed disks 56 in which are formed the cam-ways 51. The valve gear 33 comprises a plurality of rotary valves 57, one for each cylinder, hollow shafts 58 secured to the valves 57, bevel gears 59 secured to the shafts 58 and meshing with each other, a

bevel gear 60 secured to one of the shafts 58 and meshing with the gear 34, a combined fuel chamber and bearing member 61 havin bearings in which the shafts 58 are mounted and forming a chamber with which all of the hollow shafts 58 are in communication, and a yoke or spider 62 for holding the member 61 in position on the motor. The valves 57 are rotatably mounted in valve casings 63 secured to the cylinders 29. Each valve 57 is provided with a chamber or passa e 64 which is in communication with the hollow shaft 58 through the port 65, and a port 66 for registration with the inlet and exhaust port 67 in the cylinder 29, a chamber or passage 68 having a port 69 for registration with the port 67, and a port 70 for registration with the exhaust port 71 in the casing 63, and a cut-off portion 72 for closing the port 67. The member 61 is provided with a chamber 73 which is in communication with all of the hollowshafts 58. A packing 74 may be provided between the member 61 and the cam member 32 to form a gas tight connection. Fuel is supplied to the chamber 73 through the inlet port 75. Each of the cylinders 29 is provided with a spark plug 7 6, the spark of which may be controlled inany suitable manner so as to cause ignition at the proper time.-

The operation of the engine is as follows: The motor 12 is caused to revolve by hand or by any suitable starter. The operation of each cylinder 29 with its associated pistons is the same and a description of the' operation of one will suflice for all. Following the operation of oneof the cylinders with its associated pistons from the position shown at A in Fig. 3 the operation is as follows: As the cylinder moves from the position shown at A to the position shown at B, the arrangement-of the valve mechanism is such that the ports 66 and 67 will,

be in registration so that the cylinder 29 is in communication with the fuel supply. The cam 32 will cause the charging piston 31 to move from its outermost to its innermost position, thus drawing a fuel charge into the cylinder 29. As the cylinder moves from position B to position C movement of the valve 57 through the gears 34, 60 and 59 is such as to bring the cut-off portion 72 in position to close the port 67. As the cylinder moves from C to D a bearing member 41 engages the concavity 40 and forces the compression and power piston 30 inwardly to compress the charge. Ignition takes place at about position D forcing the piston 30 outwardly to cause the motor 12 and rotor 14 to revolve about their axes. At E the valve 57 is in the position shown in Fig. 7, the port 69 registering with the port 67 and the port 70 registering with the port 71. From E to F the cam 32 causes the scavenging piston 31 to move outwardly forcing the burnt gases out ports 67, 69, 70 and 71. Fig. 4 shows the position of the valve 57 and pistons 30 and 31 corresponding to position A of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 shows the position of parts corresponding to position B of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 shows the position of parts correthrough the spending to position D of Fig. 3; and Fig. 7

shows the position of parts corresponding to position F of Fig. 3.

The followers 50 fit' rather freely in the cam-ways 51 and the relation. is such that as the cylinders 29 move from position B to position D the conical portion 52 is allowed to seat snugly in the recess 52*, so that no strain is brought on the cam 32 due to the- 1 for preventing this is the' spring ring 43 which snaps out into the groove 44 when the cylinder is in position E and holds the piston. 30 in its outermost position until it is again engaged by the rotor 14. The groove 44 is so shallow bearing member 41 on the piston will easily cause the spring ring 43 to slip out of the groove 44 to permit the piston 30 to move inwardly.

It will be noted that in this engine the lever arm of the rotor 14 may be of any length desired regardless of the stroke of the piston as distinguished from the crank shaft type of engine in which the crank has that the pressure of the tatably mounted on cross heads 80 secured to j to be short, or, at least, can be only half of the piston stroke. As the torque of the en gine is equal to the tangential component of the essure exerted by the piston times the cran i r length, it follows that for a given tangential component a much greater torque can be obtained by means of an engineof my type than can be obtained in the ordinary crank shaft type of engine.

Also byhaving the scavenging pistons at the inner rather than at the outer ends of the cylinders the cam track which controls these pistons can be made much shorter than in the type in which the scavenging pistons are at the outer ends of the cylinders and the cam tracksurrounding the cylinders.

In the form shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10 the rotor 14, the scavenging pistons 31, the cam 32 which controls the scavenging pistons, and the valve gear, are substantially the same as in the form shown in Figs. 1 to 7 In this form, however, the cylinders 77 are made longer so that the power piston has a longer stroke and can remain in contact with the rotor 14' for a longer period whereby the gas has ceased to act on the rotor 14. These cams'78, one on each side of the path of the cylinders 77, are engaged by follower rollers 79, two for each cylinder, which are roslides 81 which operate in guide-ways 82 formed in the cylinders 77, the cross heads themselves o 'icrating in guide-ways 83 in the outer parts of the cylinders. The cross heads are provided with extensions 84 which extend over and engage the piston. The outer end of each cylinder 7 7 is provided with. four inwardly extending abutments 85 on which are seated cushioning springs 86 against which the piston engages at the outer end of its stroke. The cylinders 77. are recessed at 87 to provide clearance for the rotor 14. The cams T9 are supported by a bracket 88 secured to the base 10 in any suitable manner and the two cams T8 are coimected togethwfby means of a yoke 99. Each of the power pistons 90 is provided with a spring ring 91 which is seated in a groove 92 in the piston and which engages with a groove 93 in the cylinder when the cams 79 have forced the pistons 90 inwardly. i

The operation of this form of engine is as follows: Tn the position shown at A Fig. 8. compression has taken place and the charge has been ignited. As the cylinder moves from the position shown at A to the 'iosition shown at B the iston 90 will be 'forced outwardly until 'it is stopped by the ton.

cushioning springs 86, the spring ring 91 sliding past the groove 93 in the cylinder.

been forced inwardly far enough to let the spring ring 91 snap iito the groove 93. Shortly after this the followers 79 disenga e the cams 78 but the spri: 1g ring 91 will ho d the piston 90 in posit on during the remainder of the travel until compression again takes place. At the same time that the piston 90 is being forced inwardly as it travels from B to C the scavenging piston 31 is being forced outwardly by the'cam 32, so that between the two pistons 90 and 31 the burnt gases are for red out of the cylinder, both of the pistons thus acting as scavenging pistons.

This form of my invention is particularly adapted for the slower moving types of engine in which it is desired to utilize as much as possible of the energy of the expanding Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desi e to secure by Letters Patent is: l

1. A fluid pressure engine comprising a. cylinder, a piston therein, means for mounting said cylinder to rotite about-an axis to which said cylinder extendssubstantially radially, a rotor, means for mounting said rotor to rotate about an axis substantially parallel to said Lfirstiaxis, and means whereby said piston exerts pressure on said rotor to cause said cylinder and rotor to rotate about their respective'a: es, the distance between said axes being greater than the length of said cylinder, said cylinder in its movement passing between said axes.

2. A. fluid pressure engine comprising a plurality of cylinders, pistons for said cylinders, means for mounting said cylinders to rotate about an axis to which said cylinders extend substantially radially, a rotor, means for mounting s2 id rotor to rotate about an axis substantially parallel to said. first axis, and means whereby said pistons successivelyexert pressure on said rotor to cause the cylinders and I3t01 to rotate about 'their respective axes, said cylinders in their movement passing betwe in said axes.

3. A fluid pressure engine comprising a cylinder, a piston thcreir, means for 1nounting said cylinder to .rotate about an axis to which said cylinder ex tends substantially radially, a'rotor, means for mounting said rotor to rotate about :11 axis substantially parallelto said first axis and means whereby said piston exerts prissure on said rotor to cause said cylinder and rotor to rotate about their respective :xcs, said cylinder belng open at itsblitei' )nd and said rotor iao having a portion-for engaging said piston.

4. fluid pressure engine comprising a plurality of cylinders, pistons for said cyllnders, means for mounting said cylinders to rotate about an axis to which said cylders extend substantially radially, arotor,

cans for mounting said rotor to rotate about an axis substantially parallel to said first axis, and means whereby said pistons successively exert pressure on saidrotor to cause the cylinders and rotor to rotateabout their respective axes, said cylinders being open at their outer ends and said rotor having portions for successively engaging said pistons.

5. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder, means for mounting said cylinder to rotate about an axis to which said cylinder extends substantially radially, a combined compression and power piston operating in the outer part of said cylinder, a combined charging and scavenging piston operating in the inner part of said cylinder, a. rotor, and means whereby 'said power piston exerts pressure on said rotor to cause said cylinder and rotor to rotate about their respective axes.

6. An internal combustion engine comprising a plurality of cylinders, means for mounting said cylinders to rotate about an axis to which said cylinders are substantially radial, a combined compression and power piston operating in the outerpart of each cylinder, a charging and scavenging piston operating in the inner part of each cylinder, a rotor, and means whereby said power pistons successively exert pressure on said rotorto cause said cylinders and rotor to rotate about their respective axes.

7. An internal combustion engine comprising a plurality of cylinders, meansjor mounting said cylinders to rotate about an axis to which said cylinders are substantially radial, a combined compression and power piston operating in the outer part of each cylinder, a charging and scavenging piston operating in the inner part of each cylinder, a rotor, and means whereby said power pistons successively exert pressure on said rotor to cause said cylinders and rotor to rotate about their respective axes, said cylinders being open at their outer ends and said rotor having portions for successively engaging said pistons. v

8. A fluid pressure engine comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, means for mounting said cylinder to rotate about an axis to which said cylinder extends substantially radially, a rotor, means for mounting said rotor to rotate about an axis substantially parallel to said first axis, and means whereby said piston exerts pressure on said rotor to cause said cylinder and rotor to rotate about their respective axes, said cylinder being open at its outer end, the outer end of said piston being concave, and said rotor havin a portion for engaging the concave end 0 said piston.

9. An internal combustion engine comrising a cylinder, a iston therein, means or mountin said cyllnder to rotate about an axis to which said cylinder extends sub stantially radially, a rotor, means for mountin said rotor to rotate about an axis substantially parallel to said first axis, means whereby said piston exerts" pressure on said rotor to cause said cylinder-and rotor to rotate about theirirespective axes, and valve means for controlllng the flow of fuel to said cylinder, the distance be tween said axes. being greater than the length of said cylinder, said cylinder in its movement passing between said axes.

10. An internal combustion engine com prising a cylinder, a piston therein, means .for mountingsaid cylinder to rotate about an axis to which said cylinder extends sub stantially radially, a rotor, means for mountin substantially parallel to said first axis, means whereby said piston exerts pressure on said rotor to cause said cylinder and rotor to rotate about their respective axes, valve means for controlling the flow of fuel to said cylinder, and a hollow shaft to which said valve is secured, said hollow shaft affording a passage for the fuel-to said valve, the distance between said axes being greater than the length of said cylinder,.

said cylinder in its movement passing between said axes.

11. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder, a iston therein, means for mounting said cylinder to rotate about an axis to which said cylinder extends substantially radially, a rotor, means for mounting said rotor to rotate about an axis substantially parallel -to said first axis;

means whereby said piston exerts pressure on said rotor to cause said cylinder and rotor to rotate about their respective axes, valve means for controlling the flow of fuel to said cylinder, and a hollow shaft to which said valve is secured, said hollowshaft affording a passage for the fuel to said valve, said shaft extending substantially parallel to said cylinder, the distance between said axes being greater than the length of said cylinder,said cylinder in its movement passing between said axes.

12. A fluid pressure engine comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, means for mounting said cylinder to rotate about an axis to which said cylinder extends substantially radially, a rotor, means for mounting said rotor to rotate about an axis substantially parallel to said first axis, means whereby said piston exerts ressure on said rotor to cause said cylin er and said rotor to rotate about an axis rotor to rotate about their respective axes,..

and transmission means between said cylinder and rotor to keep them in time with each other, the distance between said axes being greater than the length of said cylinder, said cylinder in its movement passing between said axes 13. A fluid pressure engine comprising a cylinder, a piston therein, means for mountmg said cylinder to rotate about an axis to which said cylinder (extends substantially radially, a rotor, means for mounting said rotor to rotate about an axis substantially parallel to said first axis, means whereby said piston exerts pressure on said rotor to cause said cylinder and rotor to rotate about their respective axes, said cylinder being open at its outer end and said rotor havin a portion for engaging said piston, and transmission means between said cylinder and rotor so proportioned as to cause them to move in proper time relation to cause said rotor piston.

14. An internal combustion engine comprising a cylinder, means for mounting said cylinder to rotate about an axis to which:

said cylinder extends substantially radially,"

a combined scavenging compression and power piston operatin in the outer part of said cylinder, a com%ined charging and scaven ing plston operating in the inner part of said cylinder, a rotor, means where portion to properly engage the said cylinder,

by said power piston exerts pressure on said rotor to cause said cylinder and rotor to rotate about their respective axes, and means for causing said two pistons to move toward each other to discharge the burnt. ses.

15. An internal combustion-engine comprising a cylinder, means for mounting said cylinder to rotate about an axis to which said cylinder extends substantially radially, a combined scaven ug compression and power piston operating in the outer part of said cylinder, a rotor, means whereby said power piston exerts pressure on said rotor to cause said cylinder and rotor to rotate about their respective axes, and means for operating said power piston to discharge the burnt gases.

16. An internal combustion engine comprisin a eylinder,'me LBS for mounting said cylin er .to rotate about an axis towhich said cylinder extends :ubstantially radially a combined scavenging compression and power piston operating in the outer part of a rotor means whereby said power piston exerts pressureon said rotor to cause said cylinder and\rotor to rotate about their respective axes, and cam means for operating said pow er piston todischarge the burnt gases.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name;

HOWARD H. FAS-NAOHT.

Copies of thin patent my be obtained for he cent: each, by tuning the onunhlloner o! lateltl,

Washington, D. 0. 

